Mirror Pond Pale Ale - Deschutes Brewery

jdense

Oregon

4.33/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From 12 ounce bottle.

One of the Northwest's premier session beers. While it may not capture the attention that Deschutes big beer offerings like the Abyss, this may be one of the best entry points for the macro-beer head to delve into craft beers. Two finger head, nice lacing from pale orange body. Not overly hoppy, but damn you could certainly quaff a few of these on a hot summer day. Pairs with most any food. Not an overly bold statement from one of the country's biggest and best craft brewers, but certainly one of their best. Worth seeking out if you can find on cask.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2009 19:12:55 | More by jdense

Hoppy_McMalt

Washington

4/5  rDev +1.5%

05-22-2013 05:50:00 | More by Hoppy_McMalt

dc87

Washington

3.56/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

A - Attractive, tanned orange colour. Just a little cloudy. One finger white head which sticks around and laces nicely.

S - Bright floral, citrusy hops

T - Mild, very drinkable. Quite crisp, predominantly malty taste - sweet and a little toasty, with a nice small but sharp hit of citrus hops. Aftertaste is dry, a little cardboardy and lager like, with a little pleasant bitterness.

M - Refreshing and light bodied, feels a little lacking in carbonation.

O - A solid, drinkable and refreshing maltier pale ale.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 05:08:53 | More by dc87

cfitterer

Arizona

4/5  rDev +1.5%

05-21-2013 03:04:57 | More by cfitterer

jharris0624

Missouri

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

05-20-2013 05:51:42 | More by jharris0624

45nDown

Arizona

3/5  rDev -23.9%

05-20-2013 04:13:26 | More by 45nDown

Turbo

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +1.5%

05-19-2013 22:35:17 | More by Turbo

ClayO

Arizona

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

05-19-2013 22:04:05 | More by ClayO

davesway10

Iowa

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

05-19-2013 11:30:48 | More by davesway10

JoyHelfrich

Illinois

4/5  rDev +1.5%

05-18-2013 23:37:52 | More by JoyHelfrich

alanv

California

4/5  rDev +1.5%

05-18-2013 21:37:12 | More by alanv

jl28r1

Texas

4/5  rDev +1.5%

05-18-2013 16:27:08 | More by jl28r1

prender1482

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -11.2%

05-18-2013 00:39:20 | More by prender1482

Michaeldmanley

Texas

4/5  rDev +1.5%

05-17-2013 22:46:23 | More by Michaeldmanley

SMITHAND

Oregon

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

05-17-2013 20:08:36 | More by SMITHAND

Ribsandwhiskey

Oregon

4/5  rDev +1.5%

05-17-2013 19:24:31 | More by Ribsandwhiskey

piratebryan

California

4.5/5  rDev +14.2%

05-16-2013 22:55:20 | More by piratebryan

Hoolie5

Wisconsin

4.75/5  rDev +20.6%

05-16-2013 16:44:13 | More by Hoolie5

leftstagebrew

North Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -11.2%

05-16-2013 15:01:41 | More by leftstagebrew

Pelican5

California

3.5/5  rDev -11.2%

05-16-2013 07:27:28 | More by Pelican5

BSore

Oregon

4.25/5  rDev +7.9%

05-16-2013 06:18:26 | More by BSore

THEOPTIMATOR88

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

05-16-2013 03:12:08 | More by THEOPTIMATOR88

spoony

Colorado

3.89/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

From a 12 oz bottle (best by July 11, 2013) into a tulip.

A-This is a good-looking beer. The brew is nearly clear and copper/orange hued with a decent display of visible carbonation. The head is fantastic, dense, long-lasting, light-khaki colored foam that leaves a fair bit of lacing on the glass.

S-The smell is a pleasantly strong mixture of sharp, lemony-citrus hops and fruity, pale malt flavors that pair well with the toast and light caramel notes. I'm impressed by the strength of the aroma for a 5% ABV brew.

T-The taste is more mild and the hops fade a little bit on the tongue, leaving the fruity, sweet, pale malt flavors more in the spotlight. Flavors are still citrus-forward, and there is a still a little bit of dank oily hops, but the taste is simpler and less impressive than the smell.

M-The feel is soft, with fine carbonation. The brew is medium to light in body and drinkable. Pretty average.

O-I remember disliking this beer the last time I had it (maybe four years ago), so I was pleasantly surprised by how good-looking it is and how nice it smells. The taste, while something of a let-down compared to looks and smell, is not bad, but it loses some of the hoppy sharpness that makes the smell so appealing. All-in-all, this is a good but not great example of an APA.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 00:15:24 | More by spoony

Sarmartay

California

4/5  rDev +1.5%

05-14-2013 20:04:20 | More by Sarmartay

Absolut

California

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%

05-14-2013 18:02:36 | More by Absolut